Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity

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Case Studies

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Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity
How to Use This Course

Course: WB 1107
CE Original Date: September 24, 2007
CE Renewal Date: September 24, 2010
CE Expiration Date: September 24, 2012
Download Printer-Friendly version [PDF - 285 KB]

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Introduction

The goal of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) is to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to aid in the evaluation of potentially exposed patients. This CSEM focuses on nitrate/nitrite toxicity.

Available Versions

Two versions of the Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity CSEM are available

the HTML version http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=9&po=0 provides content through the Internet;
the downloadable PDF [PDF - 285 KB] version provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.
The HTML version offers interactive exercises and prescriptive feedback to the user.

Instructions

To make the most effective use of this course, we recommend that you

take the Initial Check to assess your current knowledge about Nitrate/Nitrite Toxicity;
read the title, learning objectives, text, and key points in each section;
complete the progress check exercises at the end of each section and check your answers;
complete and submit your assessment and posttest responses online if you wish to obtain continuing education credit.

Continuing education certificates can be printed immediately upon completion.

Instructional Format

This course is designed to help you learn efficiently. Topics are clearly labeled so that you can skip sections or quickly scan sections you are already familiar with. This labeling will also allow you to use this training material as a handy reference. To help you identify and absorb important content quickly, each section is structured as follows:

Section Element	Purpose
Title	Serves as a "focus question" that you should be able to answer after completing the section
Learning Objectives	Describes specific content addressed in each section and focuses your attention on important points
Text	Provides the information you need to answer the focus question(s) and achieve the learning objectives
Key Points	Highlights important issues and helps you review
Progress Check exercises	Enables you to test yourself to determine whether you have mastered the learning objectives
Progress Check answers	Provides feedback to ensure you understand the content and can locate information in the text

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Nitrate/Nitrite CSEM, you should be able to:

Content Area	Objectives

Overview	Describe what nitrates/nitrites are
Exposure Pathways	Identify sources of nitrates/nitrites Describe drinking water exposure risk to nitrates/nitrites
Who Is at Risk	Identify the population most susceptible to nitrates/nitrites
Standards and Regulations	Describe the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit for nitrates/nitrites in drinking water
Biological Fate	Describe the mean intake of nitrates by persons in the United States Describe how nitrates are metabolized and excreted
Physiological Effects	Describe the physiologic and pathologic effects of nitrates and nitrites
Clinical Evaluation	Describe the clinical assessment of an infant exposed to nitrates or nitrites Describe the signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia Identify the laboratory test results that indicate methemoglobinemia
Treatment and Management	Describe two treatments for methemoglobinemia caused by nitrates/nitrites toxicity